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In which goldfish live forever … practically

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Wait WHAT????

In case you weren’t aware, Gilgamesh (Gil for short) and Hercules (Herc) are back home where they belong. Well, in MY opinion they’re back home where they belong which is in my office next to my computer.

See. They’re TECHNICALLY Andie’s fish since she was fish sitting Gil and then won Herc at the State Fair (hence the nickname “carnie” fish). However, last summer you may recall they lived with me since Andie was down in New Orleans gallivanting around. (Actually, I don’t know how much gallivanting she did but she WAS in New Orleans. That much I DO know)

So they lived with me and I really enjoyed having them around except when I had to change their tank. That is sort of a hassle. Nonetheless I would talk to them and ask them what they thought and it was sort of companionable in the way that hanging out with two fish who only speak through their thoughts would be.

Then this past fall, Andie took them back to school. Although she acknowledged that they were SUPREMELY happy with me and that they had actually GROWN she stole them. Of course, the travel back and forth to Duke always makes them a bit crazy and then they once again suffered from PTSD. In fact, Andie told me that sometimes she would go into the living room and Gil would just be still for about 24 hours just PLAYING DEAD, which never happens when he’s with me. (I assume he’s a he…actually I don’t know how you tell)

So at Thanksgiving Andie brought them home and they’re staying with me through Christmas since she’ll be back soon. Already, you can tell that they’re SOOOOO happy to be home and there’s no playing dead going on.

Why just this morning I told them I would once again be writing about them and they swished their little tails with joy.

Now as you know I’ve been in a slump but it’s a beautiful day and the fish are swimming and Tucker is gnawing on his leg (this drives me nuts by the way and sounds even more disgusting in person than it does actually reading that statement) and all is well with the world.

I think that soon I’ll have my personality and verve back and this blog will get on track. Well maybe … hopefully … possibly.

Oh yeah, so why did I say “WAIT? WHAT???” at the beginning of this post? Because I just Googled how long goldfish live and they can live up to 20 years or so!!! I had no idea and I can’t believe they’ve been with us so long. Hmmmm….that’s a LOT of posts about fish isn’t it?? Hope you like fish posts!

I completely understand about Tucker gnawing on his leg. My Lulu licks and licks and licks and licks… constantly. The sound of it completely icks me out and then there’s a wet spot and it’s so gross. Ugh!Liz recently posted..What I Wore Wednesday

My son went to a 6-year old birthday party for a friend and they sent home a beta fish with each kid…who does that?! The thing is now 1.5 years old. I’m the only one that feeds it, although I am sure that my now 8-year old would be extremely crushed if “Swimmy” died even though he apparently isn’t responsible enough to take care of it. At one point Swimmy’s eye was infected or something and bulging out of it’s head (if fish have heads) and I thought he was a goner. But I changed the water and all was good again. Our cats find Swimmy very interesting and if not for the lid on his tank I’m sure he would have been kitty food long ago. And I agree with Julie…beta fish make an odor that is HORRIBLE!!

Lynn, goldfish definitely can hang around a long time. Mine lived 13 years circling a bowl with not even a pebble or castle to dodge. I remember coming home one evening to find that my oldest daughter had thrown herself one heck of a party and filled the fish tank with beer. The fish lived, but for a week or so he seemed to forget how to circle. It was a sad day when he died. Glad you have Gil and Herc through the holidays.